Signs of change

Signs, streets and alleyways in downtown Saratoga Springs are changing as the city becomes increasingly compact and, some say, sleek. Much of the updates are occurring in the center of the downtown area – at Broadway and Division Street, Railroad Place and Division Street and paths around the area. There’s a new bookstore and chocolatier going up next to Lillian’s Restaurant on Broadway. There’s also a newer coffee shop and custom Price Chopper, a movie theater being built and lots of little extras. Here’s a picture blog taken Thursday to showcase the changes. Feel free to drop a comment about downtown’s new aesthetics.

3 Responses

Nice perspective. Took me a few minutes to figure out Connolly Way is that alley running between the new parking structure and the backs of the shops on Broadway. Never realized that was called Long Alley, which I thought was just on the other side of Church street. Welcome, Connolly!

Also really happy to see the greenery in front of the Spot… one more reason to patronize this establishment. I was disappointed that the Railroad Place Price Chopper complex lost the sidewalk trees which were on the original concepts, and this makes up for it somewhat.

A year ago, Hattie’s and the restaurant across the alley from there, got permission from the city to use the alley for seating their patrons, and for serving food.
The restaurants promised to invest a lot of money into improving the alleyway. Their attorney convinced the city to allow all of this for a mere $1000 permit fee.
Take a look at it now, and all you will see is some small paint job, and a few lights.
The restaurants will both make thousands just during the racing season, and it is also blocking emergency vehicles from access.
What happened to their promises for improvements?